The Buccaneers Sign Veteran Tight End Kyle Rudolph
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have solidified their tight end room for the 2022 season. On Monday, Kyle Rudolph officially inked a one-year deal with the Bucs. Tom Brady has a new target. Rudolph spent the 2021 season with the New York Giants after a decade with the Minnesota Vikings. Originally selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Rudolph provides experience in a thinned tight end corps with the departure of O.J. Howard and recent retirement of Rob Gronkowski.
Rudolph is an established blocker, picking up blitzers as an extension of the offensive line. In addition, Rudolph possesses an impressive catch radius, is physical at the catch point and is effective in the red zone. The two-time Pro Bowler has accumulated career totals of 479 receptions for 4,745 yards and 49 touchdowns. Rudolph joins eight-year pro Cameron Brate, fourth-round pick Cade Otton, sixth-rounder Ko Kieft and third-year man Codey McElroy. The Bucs lacked experience at the tight end position besides Brate, with one career catch among the remaining collective group. Otton is recovering from an ankle injury that prematurely ended his 2021 collegiate season but is expected to be ready to go for camp. With the Buccaneers' heavy dose of two tight end sets, Rudolph will bolster the offense. His arrival on the scene begs the question, how will he fit in Tampa Bay's offensive onslaught?
"Kyle is a smart, tough, dependable player who has played at a high level in this league for a long time," said Bucs' Tight Ends Coach John Van Dam." He will bring a veteran presence to a relatively young room. It is great to now have two veteran players who both will be relied upon a ton this season. I love the versatility Kyle will bring as he is an asset in the pass game and plays with good technique and fundamentals in the run game.
View pictures from TE Kyle Rudolph's NFL career thus far.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph pulls away from Detroit Lions defensive back DeShawn Shead (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph raises the ball after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after making a reception against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2018, file photo, Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs into the end zone untouched for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. Rudolph has had a pretty stable career with just the Vikings, but he was involved in at least one significant trade. In his father's fantasy football keeper league.(AP Photo/Jose Juarez, File)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs from Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) after making a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs from Washington Redskins linebacker Montez Sweat, right, after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs from Washington Redskins linebacker Montez Sweat, right, after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) catches a pass for a two-point conversion in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph reaches to catch a pass for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' K.J. Wright (50) reaches toward him during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph reaches to catch a pass for a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks' K.J. Wright (50) reaches out toward him during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph warms up before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph warms up before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackles Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph pulls in the game winning touchdown pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans. The Vikings won 26-20. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) pulls in a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after a catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) warms up before the start of an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson, left, after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) readies for the play at the line of scrimmage in the first quarter during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 28-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs from Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) after making a reception during the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The Vikings have released two-time Pro Bowl tight end Rudolph. This ends his 10-season run with the team. The move creates a little more than $5 million in salary cap space. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
New York Giants' Kyle Rudolph runs a route during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) celebrates his touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph (80) runs against the Washington Football Team during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
"He has a familiarity with the schemes we run, different terminology but similar schemes in the run game. Kyle has definitely shown the ability to hold the point with success and play that traditional 'Y' tight end position in the past offenses he has been in. Kyle's experience and knowledge of the game is going to be one of the biggest assets to us, that goes for the run and pass game."
In essence, a 'Y' tight end fulfills a hybrid role: productive in-line attached to the offensive line as an extended blocker, yet possesses the receiving skills to create mismatches for linebackers and smaller defensive backs. In 12 personnel groupings, Brate's pass-catching ability and Rudolph's blocking prowess will create a lethal tandem. Rudolph is effective on chip-and-release routes, countering a pass rusher by performing a 'chip' to stall the defensive end before releasing towards a passing route. The 32-year-old is a powerful play side blocker, sealing the edge for running backs. With good core strength, he stays square while fighting through a defender's attempts to combat his block. Rudolph can ignite the Bucs' screen game and is another large target for Brady on deep crossers and comeback routes. With his experience level, Rudolph knows the league's tendencies and coverages, providing a reliable target in critical game-time situations. In a quarterback-friendly system that relies on a short passing attack to try and mitigate the opponent's pass rush/utilization of a two-high shell, Kyle Rudolph is an ideal fit in Tampa Bay.
